Pininfarina set to offer one-off, custom-built cars

On the back of unveiling its special edition Battista – the Edizione Nino Farina – the Pura Vision concept and the Barchetta 95 roadster, Automobili Pininfarina says it’s now all geared up and ready to build absolute one-offs or custom-built cars, much like Ferrari’s Special Projects division that builds cars with completely bespoke bodywork – as per a customer’s desire – based on an existing model’s platform.

In response to a query from Autocar India about doing bespoke bodywork, Dave Amantea, chief design officer at Automobili Pininfarina, says, “I love your question, because the answer is yes. With the Barchetta 95, we are now saying that we are confident in our capabilities and also our systems to build these cars.”

Amantea says the company, for now, will use the underpinnings of the Battista for such cars given that the platform is already in service and fully capable of diverse body styles, but in time it will also offer custom-built bodywork based on its other models. This is similar to what brands like Ferrari do, allowing a customer to work with the company and commission a completely uniquely styled vehicle so long as it adheres to some fixed hard points and does not impact safety and other regulations.

He adds that the process will involve customers very closely, not just to know about their desired style but to also understand their personality and traits, so that these can be better reflected in the design. And in true Italian style, the process will begin with delicious food and some fine wine because it’s not just the car but a whole design experience that customers will be purchasing.

“Our history and heritage is coach building and so I am happy to say that with our heritage, after five years of hard work with this platform, and after the pandemic, we are now ready to receive any kind of request from any customer,” he adds.

While the price of the B95 is set at 4.4 million euros (more than Rs 38 crore), you can be sure prices for custom cars will vary and will be very premium indeed. After all, a custom design from a renowned design firm like Pininfarina isn't cheap, as is fine Italian wine.